Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Clara stood at the doorway, rolling her eyes at the scene in front of her. "Why are you crying? You're about to turn twenty-can't you be a little more grown-up?"

Ryan looked relieved yet a bit shaken, wiping his eyes vigorously. "I swear, I'll never set foot in this place again. Clara, I promise you."

His words sounded like a solemn vow, and Clara just smiled, watching him enthusiastically load up a stack of books into the car. Driving him to the villa meant they'd inevitably bump into Sarah.

When Sarah saw him, her face lit up with excitement. "Ryan, you're back! That's amazing. Let's just live here forever, okay?"noveldrama

Ryan's smile faded slightly when he saw her. He quietly set the books on the coffee table and headed toward the door. Sarah quickly grabbed his sleeve. "Where are you going? It's almost the holidays, and I want to go shopping with you."

Ryan gently pulled away. "I haven't had one-on-one time with Clara in a while. You stay here; I'll be back soon."

Sarah's face fell, and she slowly clenched her hand at her side before suddenly clutching her stomach. "Ryan, my stomach hurts. Can you take me to the hospital?"

Her acting was spot-on; sweat beaded on her forehead, and she looked like she might faint. Ryan instinctively caught her, his voice tinged with worry. "What's happening?"

"My stomach, it hurts. Maybe the baby needs you with us."

He glanced at Clara, torn about what to do. It was only then that Clara realized Sarah's acting was top-notch, as convincing as any pro. Fed up, Clara turned to leave, tossing back a quick comment. "You stay and take care of her. I already put up the holiday decorations around your place—the little red lanterns and wreaths are my doing."

As Clara walked away, Ryan was about to follow her when Sarah's pained cry stopped him in his tracks. Sarah was kneeling, clutching her belly, looking pale. "Ryan, I miss you too."

Ryan didn't respond, just sat back on the couch, indicating he'd stay. Clara got back to her car, feeling a knot of frustration she couldn't shake. Her brother's choices weighed on her mind.

Sitting in the car, she hesitated to start the engine when her phone buzzed. It was Megan calling. "Clara, I made some holiday sausages. Want me to drop them by? Are you at home?"

"I'm at Ryan's. Are you on holiday break?"

Megan sounded cheerful. "Yeah, I'm off for the week. If you want to go anywhere, I'm game."

Clara had been so buried in work she hadn't thought about taking a break. She was about to answer when the sudden sound of tapping caught her attention, followed by the crash of her car window shattering. Masked figures with metal rods smashed the glass, shards flying everywhere, one jagged piece aimed right at her neck. Clara jerked back, narrowly dodging it, but then found herself doused in gasoline.